Open-source MacOS!

Imagine if Apple open-sourced MacOS. They could keep possibly some substantial portion of it. Services and apps, even. But the main UI, basic operating system services, development tools. All of it open source.

They might at some point stop making Macs, although I would argue Apple nowadays is much more of a leader in hardware than in software.

They just focus on iOS and iPadOS and WatchOS. The walled garden was always Apple’s way, so let them have at it.

They lead an open-source operating system project, sell support and hosting and whatever. OpenMacOS (OMO) would be a serious alternative to both Windows and Linux.

They could spend a lot less money and more important, focus, on Macintosh while getting a better product and opening it up to all the innovative hardware manufacturers. Oh, for computer like Microsoft Surface, with a touchscreen and stylus that acts as a drawing tablet. Wacom has always been the Mac’s touch interface, and it works great.

OMO would attract more open source software. With Apple in the lead, we might start seeing friendly, high quality user interfaces (go on: name even one open-source application with a good ui).

Apple could still seek to lead with a gorgeously curated walled garden of services and apps and UI experience, some exclusive to iPad and iPhone, others available “all major open source operating systems”.

Finally, do you think Microsoft would follow Apple? Either way is fascinating to ponder.